Patent GB-103841-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Apparatus for Propelling or Throwing Projectiles.
Inventor: MOTE FRANCIS FORDHAM
IPC: F41A1/04
Filed: 1916-02-02
Abstract: 103,841. Mote, F. F. Feb. 2, 1916. Ordnance, pneumatic and war-rocket. - Relates to bomb or rocket throwing guns of the kind using an explosive gaseous charge or mixture as the propellant, and consists in causing the explosion to displace a piston which is directly or indirectly connected to a member in or against which the projectile is supported. The piston is preferably given a reciprocating movement so that the gaseous mixture performs a four - stroke cycle of operations as in an internal-combustion engine, the projectile being expelled or thrown during the explosion stroke. In the form shown in plan in Fig. 3 and in vertical section in Fig. 4, the operating-parts of the gun correspond in construction with the parts of an internal-combustion engine, a piston B moving in a cylinder A having its rod B<1> attached by a crosshead C<1> to a connecting-rod C which actuates a flywheel D mounted on a crank-shaft E. This crankshaft is connected by the usual two-to-one gearing E<1>, F<1>, G<1> to a cam-shaft G, which actuates suction and exhaust valves G<4>, G<5> through rods G<6>, G<7> and levers G<8>, G'. The petrol tank K leads by way of a pipe K<1> through a carburettor K<2> to the induction pipe K<3>, and the charge is ignited by a sparking-plug J<2>. The crank-shaft is held against rotation at the end of each compression stroke by the engagement of a pawl H<1> with a tooth E<2> on the crank-shaft, and the gun is then loaded by placing the projectile L within the muzzle of the barrel A and against a supporting-member B<2> on the piston-rod B<1>. In some cases the piston - rod B<1> passes through a front cylinder cover and is provided with a cup-shaped member to hold the projectile. The charge is exploded by striking a lever I, which, through a projection I<1>, removes the pawl H<1> from the tooth E<2> and simultaneously joins the electric contacts I<2>, I<3> to pass a current through the plug J<2>. The explosion expels or throws the bomb and carries the shaft E round two complete revolutions until it is again arrested by the pawl H. This pawl is automatically raised at the end of the exhaust stroke by a cam acting through a lever H<3>. In a modification, Fig. 9, the piston-rod B<1> is connected through a system of links M, M<2> with a cup-shaped holder L<1> for the projectile, which is moved by the explosion from the position shown in full lines to that shown in chain lines, suitable spring devices being arranged between the parts to avoid shock. A further modification is is described in which the cylinder is provided with cooling-ribs, and the firing-lever I, Figs. 15 and 21, is connected to an arm H<1> which engages a stop D<3> on the fly-wheel D at the end of the compression stroke. To ensure that the compressed gases will not cause forward movement of the piston if the ignition fails, a safety stop-device V<2>, V<3>, Fig. 21 is provided which acts upon the cam shaft G to lock the crank-shaft until the force of explosion acting upon a small piston V<1> releases the stop-device. The stop-device may also be released by a handle V‹ when rotating the crank by hand. Modifications are referred to in which (1) the movements of the piston may be carried out by hand instead of with the connecting-rod and crank mechanism, (2) the connecting-rod may be detached from the crank by the force of explosion, (3) several cylinders may be employed, the pistons corresponding to several bomb-holders being connected to a single crank-shaft, so that the bombs are projected simultaneously; or a single bomb-holder connected with all the pistons may be provided.